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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Murphy's Law is back! My oldest daughter went to the doctor today - ear infections. I still have a cold and fever and now I've lost my voice. How am I supposed to scream at the kids with no voice? ;) And here's the weather forecast for Orlando...

THU80°F 26°C70°F 21°C

FRI85°F 29°C71°F 21°C

SAT79°F 26°C70°F 21°C

SUN80°F 26°C70°F 21°C

I wish I could send that rain to southern California. :(

The only other time we've taken a family vacation (other than camping which is not so much like a vacation as it is work) was about six years ago when my oldest daughter won a trip to DisneyWorld. On this trip, she got an ear infection and I got a kidney stone while we were there. Let me tell ya, DisneyWorld is NOT the most magical place on earth when you spend half your vacation in the hospital doubled over in pain.

Although we're going to Orlando again, we're not going to Disney this time. I am getting the chance to meet up with my friend Angie though! (Maybe I can convince her to let me use her laptop to scribble out a quick update.) Actually, we're taking a very special trip, but you'll have to read about it here.

Oh yeah - I just have to brag for a moment because my oldest two came home with report cards today. All "A"s and a couple "B"s for both of them! See? The not-fighting-with-them-over-homework thing can work. I went to four parent/teacher conferences tonight where the teachers told me what great students my kids were and how happy they were to have them in their classes this year. Several teachers informed me that my kids were really quiet and they wondered if they actually talked at home. I, of course, just laughed myself silly over that one.

OK, I'm off to finish up my laundry and packing. Have a great weekend!

119 comments:

I never leave comments, just usually read. But I can relate to some things you're posting lately! In this particular one, I read your daughter won a trip to Disney. What's funny, is when I was in 5th grade, I won a trip there too, from a radio station. How fun!! ;)

Oh yes, please send the rain here! It's a bit *cough* *cough* smoky and we could really use the water. So sorry to hear about your daughter's ear infection and that you lost your voice too. My husband is home sick with a cold and he's coughing all the time, the smoke from the nearby fires is making it worse. I hope you and your daughter recover soon!

I just found your blog today after a friend showed me your ebay auction with the pokemon cards. Funny stuff :)

I don't have kids but I take care of my brother and sister (I'm 24) and they kill me and it's only TWO of them and believe it or not they are 15 and 18 and pffffttt, they might as well be 5 and 8! If it's not one thing it's another, and I too have a husband that is a third child as well.

Like today I found our large trash can quite full even though it's not supposed to be yet- little did I know yelling ay my brother last night to clean his room prompted him to just throw all the stuff in the trash without sorting out the recyclable items! So I took everything out and stuck it in his room, just wait till he gets back tomorrow from spending the night at a friends...

Bummer about losing your voice and your daughter getting an ear infection. I know it sounds odd, but the juice from a pureed onion (strained through a sterile cloth or gauze) dripped in your daughters ears will clear that infection up in no time. This was an old remedy used in England during the war era. It has natural antibiotic properties (though she'll smell like onion for a day or two, lol), but has always worked for my sisters and my kids ear aches.

my family is notorious for mangling themselves on vacation. My younger brother has zapped himself on an electric fence(age three), cut himself trying to shave(age four), and shoved a Cape May diamond up his nose(age five). My mom's husband has gotten sun poisoning on at least five seperate occasions and has required visits to the emergency room. He's also broken teeth, had abscessed teeth, and discovered he required a root canal - all on vacation.

Needless to say, I haven't participated in a family vacation in almost 10 years.

Wow. I just read about your upcoming vacation on your other blog. Wow! That's so amazing! Don't worry about the rain too much. Maybe it will keep some people away and you'll have less crowds. And I know that Sea World (am I allowed to say that on your blog?) doesn't close or cancel their shows because of rain. Have a great time!

Love, Anonymous (I always post as anonymous because you don't know me, so I'd be anonymous to you anyway, even with a name!)

Dawn, i don't care what the weather says, it will be great down there! Also, i got my new earthquake blog up this week so you can check it out and please visit any of my other earthquake sites, too, especially for folks on the West Coast and California! I worked out there on construction and was in a lot of shakers, and now i write about them all the time and have had some luck at predicting them! I always enjoy your writing, Dawn, keep it up!

When I had my FIRST Kidney Stone attack, I actually met my doctor at the emergency room...He was there too..He said those "Kidney Stones really get your attention!" Of course, have a great trip...but..how did your daughter WIN a trip 6 years ago? You could easily write a dozen books!!

That weather forecast just about exemplifies Murphy's Law! Sorry to hear that :(

Since you're sick though and can't yell at the kids you could always play them this video from YouTube. It's the "mom" song put to the William Tell overture. Not sure if you've seen/heard it but it's worth a giggle at least :)

weather interpritation. Living in Florida most of my life we don't look at the weather. They lie. This is the rainy season, but wait 5-15 minutes and it will be over. ALSO most of the rain happens in the early am and evening. SO while the sun is up, it is normally not raining and it isn't steady. PLUS if you are all swimming w dolphins, you are already wet and it doesn't matter (as long as there are no "boom Booms" then you have to get out.

Also get some of www.hylandsearache.com and your child will feel all better (if it is the little one, not sure on big ones).

Now I know why I will never go on vacation I could see all that happening to me. We are fighting colds here to .I would love to have your warm weather. Its freezing cold here and I was hoping it would stay warm for a few more weeks..Propane will kill the budget.I have 2 im middle school who came home with A's and B's and yes I do agree with your approach its what I use and it has worked out for us to !Now my high-schoolers are going through some puberty crisis and are slacking..but I dont expect that to continue long..since I do throw can't keep grades up can't drive my car into the mix.Sending a stone and fever free week !

My kid's teachers always asked that question, too. I was also surprised at first. After thinking about it, I guess I would rather have them reserved at school and wild at home. I do know parents with the opposite problem, and believe me, that is much more of a headache.

Don't believe everything about the weather forecast in Florida. They're wrong just as often as they are right. Unless they tell you the chance of rain is over 60%, you'll usually see only clouds. Much of Florida is in a drought, with many areas being 12" 18" short of rainfall this season. Last season was also dry. We'd welcome some rain or else we'll be seeing the same thing SoCal is seeing now. Have a great trip - give Shamu a hug! ;-)

Awww nothing is worse then being SICK on a vacation! No, no, no! TWO QUICK HOME REMEDIES to try. For the ear infection - warm some olive oil in the microwave so it is warm to mildly hot. Put a q-tip in the oil and then in the ear. I think it is the heat that makes it feel better but I've heard that if you add some garlic to the oil that there is something in GARLIC that attacks the infection. Honest - I've done this to my child and swear it works!

Second - have some Apple Cider Vinegar. You mix it with apple juice and water to cut the taste and be sure to plug your nose or your child's nose. Mix about 1/4 cup of ACV with 1/4 cup cider and some water. THIS WORKS! It will clear sinus's and ears almost instantly!

Oh - and one more thing - there is some product that is a mist spray (I got it at Walgreens) I think it is called Immune Boost. I've used this and it helps to not let your cold or sore throat get to a full blown cold. It has zinc and a bunch of other herbs in it.

Wow, sounds like my last trip to Florida! I woke up with a rash all over my body - an allergic reaction to the new sunscreen I used! What fun! As far as the rain, on the upside, it seems to rain almost every day in Florida, but lasts only a brief time, then the sun comes out and you'd never even know it rained. Have a great time!

Don't worry Dawn, I just got back from our own trip to Disney World and that was our forcast too. I freaked out and complained before we left. "It's going to rain everyday we are there!" And we were lucky, it rained for 10 minutes our first day. The rest of the time it was sunny and hot. Oh, and humid. So have fun and enjoy. I love reading about all your adventures. I only have one 4 year old boy, but he seems like 2 sometimes.

Take it from a Floridian ... rain can be a blessing at the parks! Most people leave when it starts and in FL rain usually lasts less than 1/2 hr. So find a good place to wait it out (like where you are going Artic or Penguins or any restaurant are good options). When the rain stops the park will be much less crowded! Here is the move ... buy those cheap ponchos ( I usually get a $1 store) and pack them. If you wait until you get there and it's raining they will cost you $10 bucks! And get an extra one for the stroller too as stroller parking is outdoors!Good Luck =)

WHOOOPS _ FORGOT TO SAY TO DRINK the Apple Cider Vinegar! It doesn't go in your ear! I was rushing out the door and came back b/c I thought OMG she is going to put this stuff in her kid's ear! DRINK IT - or as much as you can handle. Have cup of 7-up or something nearby as a "chaser" cuz it does burn a bit. But SO worth it - try it and let me know how it goes. Good luck!

Welcome to Florida, where if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. It is supposed to rain this weekend, but I'm sure that you will see some dry times. Sea World is still fun in the rain because 1. It is less crowded, and 2. There are plenty of indoor/covered attractions. Make sure to bring a nice collection of warmer clothes along with your shorts and t-shirts!

I took a family trip to Disney with my parents growning up, funny thing is it was this time of year and was cold and rainy. On the good side though, we had a great time, we even ventured out and swam in the hotel pool in the rain. Nothing was going to stop us from having fun!!! Best of luck!http://momof4girls.blogspot.com/

wow!!!! how lucky are you??? we live in orlando and although we are sea world/busch gardens pass holders... we have yet to experience the fun of discovery cove. i hope you and your family have an amazing time!!!

Have a fantastic time Dawn! We'll survive while you're gone......don't even think of updating if you don't feel like it . I'll say a few prayers for nice weather and good health no matter how it looks atm

Sure, not fighting with them over homework can work and then again, it may not. I don't fight over it and I have one of each. One that is all A's and B's and then there's the other -- failing three classes. Hmmmm. He is now semi-grounded which means no activity except his football practice and games on school days and limited to one friend-related thing on weekends. (sigh) He's 14. The one with the good grades is nearly 18.

Ugh..kidney stones...I can so relate. I was in Maui when I got a pain in my side. It was at the very start of our vacation I started to feel it. I knew what it was because I had had them before. I came home and had lithotripsy. My most recent kidney stones passed on their own...I guess that's just what my body does with them now...I had no idea I even had a stone in the first place and one day 2 of them came out, and then another one 2 days later...and two of them were fairly good sized...about the size of a pea. No fun!

Don't worry too much about the forecast for Orlando. One thing they always tell you when you get there, "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes, it'll change." So here's hoping you don't get *too* much rain.

I too have lost my voice. I have noticed that the kids seem a bit quieter too, though. I've taken to clapping to get their attention which is really quite hilarious to watch I'm sure.Remember the rain could just be afternoon showers!

For your daughter's ear infection use vinegar... just a drop or two in her ear as she lays on her side... cover with a cotton ball... After 10 mins or so, she can let it drain out.

Trust me... from someone who had chronic ear infections for the first 10 years of her life, this is the only thing that works for me, and it is the only one of my Dad's crazy holistic cures from the old country that I will try! ;)

i think it rains every time we go to florida too which is as rarely as you guys. but if i recall correctly, it is not usually that bad. actually, it keeps the crowds down and can work to your advantage. buy eveyone a cheap rain poncho at walmart or target before going, because the ones at the park will get your pocketbook. (unless of course, the discovery cove folks will get those for you too!) hope everything turns out more wonderfully than you could imagine. have fun!

DD10 has a field trip to the zoo tomorrow & it's suppose to be 50° & rainy. Teacher said they are going, principal said they usually reschedule as long as they didn't have to prepay. (zoo is free & I didn't have to send $$)

I've already decided if the trip is on, I'm bringing her back home. She'll be the only one NOT sick on Monday.

wow, That should be loads of fun. We haven't been to Sea World in years, and have never done Discovery Cove... Being in Florida right now it is chilly in the morning and evening, Rained 2 nights ago ( the one night I I forgot to put the windows up in my car). The weather changes here a lot though. So you might get lucky.It has a habit of raining in the front yard and not the back at my house.LoL

I have decided all your illnesses are allergy related and when you step off the plane in Florida you will suddenly be transformed into healthiness. Make sure you take decongestants before you go. The air pressure hurts if your congested...

About 6 years ago, we took our big family vacation, we left Michigan and headed for Florida for the entire week of Christmas. Big mistake!! Our son was a week out of surgery (tubes in the ears). We got there, did a lot of great things, and then the second to the last day we were there, my son ended up with a fever and in the ER. He had swollen tonsils again, we all ended up sick, what took us one day to get there now took us three days to get home because we were all sick, no one had fun on the ride home. I couldn't imagine doing another road trip like that again. As much fun as it was, it was really hard to get home, it was harder being away from home with everyone sick! I wish you all the best of luck, ear infections are no fun!

Ah yes, I've had kidney stones too, as in multiple. I don't really consider them worse than labor, experienced that one(labor) 5x,( 3 others were c-sections) but the problem was I didn't know what was going on! I did the Asparagus and Coke Plus Cure, the plus is a couple of things, namely Flaming Hot Doritoes. Hey if ya gotta drink a liter of something you hate, it helps to have your mouth on fire :) Blest wishes on getting your household better real soon,joan-of-arkwww.secrets-of-the-butchers-wife.com

I found your blog though a friend...you go girl! I can't even imagine what life is like with 6(7) kids ;-) but I'll sure take your comments into consideration when it's time for me to go down the road of "pokemon cards" and all the other fun things you write about.

I'm glad I found your blog!!! All the best from Michigan (and Germany, my true home...)

So, I have had Scream Free parenting on my amazon wish list since Jan 06, at a price of 11.54. Amazon is NOW sold out of the book and the other sellers are asking $130 for it new.......$20 for used. I have a hunch that the new popularity of Dawn the mommyblogger has something to do with it. I should have bought it way back when.

Dawn,I've been to Sea World quite a few times...most of those times it was raining. So don't worry about the weather - afterall, the fish are wet too!I hope ya'll feel better so you can enjoy the trip!Shelly

Our family of 5 went to Orlando in June, and the weather called for the same, Everyday we went to the parks it rained at about 2 and everyone said oh it stops in an hour or so, yeah, it didn't. But we still had a great time and to me it sounds like your family is the same way, doesn't matter where you are as long as your togethere! My youngest who was 11 months at the time had ear infection in both ears, and the meds made him sicker (if ya know what I mean) and he slept on every flight and even being stuck in an air plain for over an hour b4 take off and then 2 hours after landing because of bad weather everyone comment on how good he was until our flight home he screemed the whole flight from Chicago back to Cedar Rapids,(good thing its only a 30min flight) boy did we get the looks! Some lady actually told me when I got off the plain that I should have known better then to bring an a baby on the plan... Yeah.. so expect the jerks to give you looks and say mean things, oh well I will never see them again!

Dawn, I haven't responded to your blog until today, but have enjoyed it for months now. I also live in Florida, and not too far from Orlando. Don't take the weather forcast too serious. They just mean that it COULD rain each day (that's living in Florida) it usually doesn't. And that is the BEST time to go to the parks, cus the tourists stay home and the lines are shorter (when it's overcast and threatening to rain). We had a day of on and off rain all day yesterday, but that is so unusual. Today was supposed to rain,butwe had just clouds, all day. So don't worry, be happy and go with the flow.

Oh, that is too funny, I lost my voice last week! It is very difficult to yell at your kids when you can't talk, however, the message still gets across, though. Here's hoping your daughter gets better quick and keeps it to herself. Unfortunately, none of my kids lost their voices! Have fun in Florida, even though it may rain, it still looks like it will be warm, too. Jana

Hello again Dawn from sunny...correction... um, not so sunny Florida. I am a bit SW of Orlando.

I wanted to comment a little about the Disney thing. I do not like going to Disney World. (I am not gonna use the word "hate" because that's not very nice)

First of all the cost to get into Disney World (not even mentioning the other stuff you will pay for and at what unmentionable prices once inside) is enough to make you consider selling a few of your kids to get the money for the tickets so you can get in just to see what is so friggin special about this place. Seriously, it would take a double income family of average pay a year to save up enough to take themselves and 2 kids to the park. I am talking about a local citizen such as myself who can drive back home after its over with. Coming in from out of town, transportation, required accommodations? I do not think I could stomach the bill on that.

I am pretty sure Disney is not about to go broke. I also certain Mickey Mouse could do a little better to make his family playland a little more available to the average family. Granted, there is so much to see and do there you could not possibly cover it all in one day, I guess this is a "plus". But if the admission charge is assuming you are gonna run your kids ragged, blowing in the breeze like winds socks, as you whisk them behind clutching to their wrists, then they ought to drop the price so you can let them enjoy themselves. Not having to worry about seeing every inch of the park.

I also noticed last time I was there (now it has been a while) they had some kind of upgrade you could add to your tickets to jump/cut forward in lines. To this I say "Cutter,cutter, peanut butter!" It hardly seems fair. OOOOH and the lines! God pray you have a child with very strong bladder control and stamina. Yep, as I watched those families jump ahead I was thinking, "Exactly how and why did Mickey Mouse decide to allow this?" Perhaps it was Goofy. That would only make sense.

Anyhow, not to go on to long (I already have) about this I will also add that any special events like "lunch with the princesses" or anything like that is gonna cost you both your arms, your right leg, one eye, and your retirement funds.

Yes the children love it. We feel, as parents to try like hell to give them what their wee little hearts desire, but geez I do wish someone down there at the Disney Headquaters would reconsider the whole "give us your financial future and we will give you a quality family vacation".

I know this does not pertain to all families, but I must not be alone with these thoughts.

I've been praying for rain here since the day these fires started. I wish it would come.I too am going to Orlando. We aren't leaving till 11/2 and staying till 11/8. I wish for no rain in Orlando, but lots for CA while I'm gone. Very entertained by your blog, thanks for giving me something to read every day that's fun.

Vacations are always wonderful but even more so when they are free!! Hope your vacation this time goes better than the last. I know that you are very busy with a long list of friends and contacts, but I have really enjoyed reading your stories. So interesting and cute. I want to add you to my reader. You are welcome to visit my page if you want to.

Congratulations on your kids' great grades. I am a teacher and I know some kids whose parents don't help them at home and they are not as successful. I think it has something to do with the environment parents provide at home in the kids' early days, such as a good balance of structure, independence, and self-discipline. Great job with your kids. You play a strong role in their lives. :)Have fun in Orlando.

Long time lurker saying yes! Send us all the rain - ALL THE RAIN you've got and then some.Love the blog BTW. Congrats on the family. As one of nine I can only imagine what my mom's daily thoughts were...

don't get too freaked out by the forcast it is always like that here in central Florida. It just means that it is going to rain at some point but prob not all day and most likely not at all. I feel like a bad fan because I did not even know that you were coming to FL. Sorry:( hope you have a great trip!

Dawn, you are SO great! I have 4 little boys, but I watch another little guy on Tues and Thurs. and today I had to take one of those "can't get out of it" grocery shopping trips. After enduring many of the same comments you experienced I couldn't help but think of you today. :) By the way, I AM a Mormon and you are ABSOLUTELY right about the "not judging other people" thing. Thank you so much for clarifying that for everyone and I'm SO sorry for that stupid comment from that stupid person...oops. I mean....well, you know what I mean. :) You can check us out (in all your spare time of course...) at cainandco.blogspot.com - Thanks for all your inspiration, I love reading what you guys are up too. Get well soon!!

May I comment on the question of kidney stone pain versus labor pain? I just had a daughter and a kidney stone. Daughter is 3.5 months old and the kidney stone I passed about a month ago. Let me tell you, I would much rather have a baby than a k.s. I should know I've had 8 (babies that is). I think the thing is that labor pains come and go, but the k.s. pain is constant. Plus you know that the labor will end in a beautiful baby, but the k.s. pain - who knows?Anyway - I enjoy your blog, Dawn. Looking forward to that book.Jen

I am new to the blog scene. I was just reading your post, and I completely relate. I live in Arizona, and feel for everyone in California. I am a single mother to a 10-year boy, and as part of my effort to teach him how to reach out and give to others we have gone through closets, cupboards, and drawers gathering stuff for World Care to send to California.

As for the Murphy's Law thing, I am right up there with you. I took my son to Sea World when he was 8. It was his first time, and wouldn't you know both of my camera's went kaput. Fortunately, I did get some good pictures of him at Huntington Beach before they gave up the ghost.

Have a great time on your vacation! I am curious how you got a free ride but I am sure it has something to do with your recent fame. I wish someone would give me a free vacation. Sorry you are voiceless and that your daughter has ear infections. That stinks. Can't wait to hear about the vacation. There have got to be a lot of funny things to come from a trip like this!

Hey - just wanted to let you know that I love your blog. You laughing while you have 6 gives me hope that I can survive my 4! Also, I know it's not too terribly PC of me to suggest this, but I lose my voice ALL THE TIME, and earlier this year I went 3 weeks without being able to talk! (Darn mouse!)But, the thing that I've come to rely on when I have no voice is a whistle. Because, let's face it - snapping your fingers, stamping your feet and clapping your hands only get you SO FAR when you are dealing with your own personal riot of children! Feel better soon, adn pop to your dollar store and go get yourself a whistle! It might even make you feel like a crossing guard!

I just have to tell you that I haven't enjoyed reading something as much as I did tonight in a long time. I found your ebay post for pokemon cards today on one of my friends blogs and couldn't help but laugh so hard. I cant believe it went for that much and props to you for your whit and clever post. With only one kid, I cant even start to relate to this story but have something to look forward to! Thanks!

Dawn, I'm sure with your adventurous spirit it'll be a wonderful vacation. If someone else is providing food and entertainment, even with a little rain, it's gonna be fun, right?

And my heart goes out to you on the kidney stone thing - I've had 3 - they're awful. The thing I found hard was trying to not be paralyzed with fear wondering if in my life would I ever experience that pain again. And yes, I've delivered babies with no drugs - and yep, I'd have a baby with no drugs before I signed up for another kidney stone. Just keep drinking your water, honey!

We went to Orlando back in the Spring and good Lord did it rain! Monsoon type rain while we were stuck in the Magic Kingdom at 11pm at night with 3 very sleepy babies! I wish better for you! It's raining here too, in NC. We need the rain b.c of the drought, but I do wish we could send some of this rain to CA. Hope everyone is feeling better! Congrats on Mama Likes. I'm glad that you and Angie teamed up! Man..a FREE trip! You are so lucky, in that respect.

I had my parent teacher conference's tonight as well. I also don't stand over my kids as they do homework. It is their responsibility. So far so good!! I think alot of the academic success in my family is due to personal responsibility. They are aware that they are solely responsible for their grades even if they have a lousy teacher.No excuses!! They don't all get great grades all the time but good or bad they themselves are accountable.

Have a great vacation, hopefully you will have great weather. My husband is like yours, always working side jobs. I loved our family vacations because the kids got dad for a whole week!!! Enjoy your time together!!

I've lived in FL for only 7 months, but the good news is that the forcast always says rain. It does rain frequently, but not for long. When it's over... it's over and you can enjoy the rest of the day. It often is sunny, then just rains for 30 minutes, then sunny again. I wouldn't worry about the rain ruining your trip!

Yes, welcome to beautiful, sunny Florida....er.....NOT! I swear, Dawn, we've had unseasonably warm weather for the past week or two and no rain at all. Thanks for coming down and sending us some much needed rain! LOL Hope you have a great time and if you get a chance, come on over to Parksdale Farms in Plant City for a great strawberry shake!

Don't comment much, but this time ... Those parent/teacher conferences sound soooo familiar ! With my youngest daughter I always had the feeling they were talking abt another child LOL Some crazy mixup where they changed the reports with the sweetest child in class, and some other parent had to listen to all the other stuff that really concerned my daughter hahaha ! Thanks for yet another wonderful story ;-)

With a bit of luck Dawn, the weather forecast will be wrong and you'll have plenty of sunshine and good weather.After everything you've been through health wise just lately the family needs a vacation and this year luck should certainly be heading your way.Hope you all have a great time I'm sure there will be plenty of great stories for us all to read when you get back.Have fun!!Best wishes from France.

I am all alone in the house, SIGH! Like Erma Bombeck once said, her best friend was the school bus driver, picked them up in the am and dropped them off in the pm. (and hubby's on a 2 week business trip...no cooking!).If there's any rain left after putting out the CA fires, plz send it to north GA.

When my family had a chance to "do Orlando" for one day there was like a 75% chance of rain. But we had no choice - that was the only day we were going to be there. It turned out to be great because it didn't rain but because of the forecast there were not that many people out and about. So don't loose hope yet! Have fun!

I just came back from vacation in Orlando.It started getting a little chilly yesterday and then the rain started. probably won't be all that cold to you since you deal with snow though. We were fortunate to have a hot sunny day when we went to animal kingdom but i was unfornunate enought to feel like poo the whole time we were there. Think i'll blog about my vacation now hehe. Hope you're enjoying yours!

Boy do I know Murphy! Hope all goes well with the trip and don't forget to use the line, "Nope they're all not ours, want one or two"? That should quiet them right down! I love how people just give their advice to you, like you really need or want it? Take care and feel better soon. Love reading your blog. Diane

I love the not-fighting-with-them-over-homework thing but what do you do (especially with older children) who a) don't seem to care about their grades or b) simply don't understand the long term consquences (especially in High School) of getting poor grades? Just curious on your thoughts.

Hi Dawn,My name is Shannon, I love your blog, been reading since the early "Ebay" craze. I just was curious how you and your family afford to live. My husband and I currently have 5 kids that we are in the process of adopting from foster care. We may be getting a 6th child by the end of the year (sibling to be born). I was a stay at home mom, but then went back to work in August. It is killing me! I'm so stressed and worn out (even more than I was as a SAHM). My husband is looking for a new job that pays a little more so I can go back to staying home. Just wonder what money saving tips you have to help us with large families! Thanks

Lucky you!! I wish we could get a free vacation once in a while! hehe...oh well...we bought a camper, so now we can go on cheaper, camping vacations, right? ;) if we can fit our family and all our stuff in there...hehe.

I live in Florida, not far from Disney. Don't worry about the weather forcast. I don't know how the weathermen KEEP their jobs here, I too could "forcast" rain daily as they do, and it may......somewhere.....but it hardly ever does rain when they say it should.

Enjoy your time there, the humidity has finally dropped so it is quite pleasant and those of us that live here hope it lasts until next summer!

I've enjoyed your blogs, I have three children (23, 20 & 12) and I can relate to a lot of what you have written. Enjoy your kids, they grow up way tooooooo fast.

Hi;) I love your blog. I've found it a couple of months ago and my husband and I get a good chuckle:)We went to Disney in March (17 of us-my family from Louisiana, husband's family from England and then the 5 of us and my aunt!) It never ever fails that when we take a big trip (like Disney in March) that the kids invariably get sick. We ended up at Disney with 2 recovering from strep and one (our 5 yr old daughter) trying to get over mono. She was miserable. We wish you well! Have a fun trip:)

I just wanted to say how much I've been enjoying your blog. Now normally I don't read blogs but yours is so entertaining and real that I'm addicted. I don't have any children of my own yet but I'm hoping to pick up some pointers and at least a good laugh when I read your blog. I truly appreciate people with a good sense of humor. Keep up all the great work!